Story ID: 4100412alerts
Russian Helicopters Embracing Western Standards
By: Thierry Dubois
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Word Count: 181
In a move to adopt Western standards to a greater extent, Russian Helicopters is introducing an “advanced after-sales service system” through subsidiary Helicopter Service. The new approach, which is built on “integrated logistic support,” uses new procedures to certify service centers.

Russian Helicopters pledges maintenance will be easier thanks to the widespread introduction of information technology. Parts will be available for order online and aircraft documentation will be available in electronic format.

The company also seeks to extend its product-support reach. On this front, it recently signed an agreement with Denel Aviation in South Africa to create a servicing hub in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Russian Helicopters, the new after-sales service system could also help to tackle the problem of counterfeit production. To facilitate this, it is creating a centralized accounting system for all units and components delivered to the market.

In other news, Russian Helicopters reported $1.93 billion in first-half 2012 revenues, a 42-percent increase, while profits were $99 million. The company had an order backlog for 921 aircraft as of June 30, it said.